In Connecticut, Obama to spotlight minimum wage

Published March 05. 2014 6:00AM | Updated March 05. 2014 6:55AM

Associated Press

Washington (AP) — President Barack Obama wants the U.S. to follow Connecticut's lead by raising the minimum wage.

Obama is traveling to a public university in Connecticut Wednesday to amplify his call for Congress to raise the hourly rate from $7.25 to $10.10. It's a major priority for Obama this year, but it's not clear Congress will go along.

Governors from Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island and Massachusetts will join Obama to lend their support.

Connecticut's governor signed a wage hike last year that raises hourly wages to $9 next January. He's also asked state lawmakers to raise it further to $10.10 in line with Obama's proposal.

Obama will also stop in Boston to headline two fundraisers for the Democratic National Committee.